PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 1 THE MINUTES OF THE 757TH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION FRIDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025, 9:00 A.M. ROOM 18-029, 1515 ARCH STREET, WITH REMOTE OPTION ON ZOOM ZACHARY FRANKEL, CHAIR CALL TO ORDER START TIME IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:00:00 Mr. Frankel, the Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. and announced the presence of a quorum. The following Commissioners joined him: Commissioner Present Absent Comment Zachary Frankel, Chair (Real Estate Developer) X Kimberly Washington, Esq., Vice Chair (Community Development Corporation) X Kareema Abu Saab (Commerce Department) X Donna Carney (Philadelphia City Planning Commission) X Emily Cooperman, Ph.D., Committee on Historic Designation Chair (Historian) Arrived 9:10 Thomas Holloman (City Council) X Kyle O’Connor (Department of Public Property) X John P. Lech (Department of Licenses & Inspections) X Dan McCoubrey, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Architectural Committee Chair (Architect) X Stephanie Michel (Community Organization) X Franz Rabauer X Robert Thomas, AIA (Architectural Historian) X Matthew Treat (Department of Planning and Development) X The meeting was held in person at 1515 Arch Street, with the option for applicants and the public to participate via Zoom video and audio-conferencing software. The following staff members were present: Jonathan Farnham, Executive Director Kim Chantry, Historic Preservation Planner III Kristin Hankins, Historic Preservation Planner II Heather Hendrickson, Historic Preservation Planner II Ted Maust, Historic Preservation Planner II Allyson Mehley, Historic Preservation Planner III Leonard Reuter, Esq., Law Department Dan Shachar-Krasnoff, Historic Preservation Planner II Josh Schroeder, Historic Preservation Planner I Alex Till, Historic Preservation Planner II The following persons attended the meeting in person: Carey Jackson Yonce, CANNOdesign Claudia Martin PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 2 Raymie Conlon The following persons attended the meeting on Zoom: Allison Weiss, SoLo Germantown Civic Association Bruce Bohri Cory Kegerise, University of Pennsylvania Daniel Trubman David Sims, Philadelphia Water Department David Traub, Save Our Sites Eugene Desyatnik Hanna Stark, Preservation Alliance Jay Farrell Kevin Brett, RePoint Kimberly Haas, Hidden City Philadelphia Lauren Conlon Mary McGettigan Matt Conner Nancy Pontone Raymond Conlon Shirley Gardiner Stephanie M. Pennypacker Steven Peitzman T. Williams PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 3 ADOPTION OF MINUTES, 756TH STATED MEETING, 8 AUGUST 2025 START TIME IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:03:29 DISCUSSION: • Mr. Frankel asked the Commissioners, staff,
Nancy Pontone Raymond Conlon Shirley Gardiner Stephanie M. Pennypacker Steven Peitzman T. Williams PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 3 ADOPTION OF MINUTES, 756TH STATED MEETING, 8 AUGUST 2025 START TIME IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:03:29 DISCUSSION: • Mr. Frankel asked the Commissioners, staff, and members of the public if they had any suggested additions or corrections to the minutes of the preceding meeting of the Historical Commission, the 756th Stated Meeting, held 8 August 2025. No comments were offered. ACTION: Mr. Thomas moved to adopt the minutes of the 756th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, held 8 August 2025. Ms. Washington seconded the motion, which was adopted by unanimous consent. ITEM: Adoption of the Minutes of the 756th Stated Meeting of the PHC MOTION: Adopt minutes MOVED BY: Thomas SECONDED BY: Washington VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney (PCPC) X Cooperman X Holloman (City Council) X O’Connor (DPP) X Lech (L&I) X McCoubrey X Michel X Rabauer X Thomas X Treat (DPD) X Total 9 4 PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 4 REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE, 26 AUGUST 2025 AGENDA ADDRESS: 1600-06 E BERKS ST Proposal: Install commemorative marker and plaque Review Requested: Final Approval Owner: Memphis Street Partners LLC Applicant: Carey Jackson Yonce, CANNOdesign History: 1885; St. Laurentius Church; Edwin Forrest Durang, architect; demolished in 2022 Individual Designation: 7/10/2015 District Designation: None Staff Contact: Jon Farnham, jon.farnham@phila.gov OVERVIEW: This application proposes to install a marker and plaque to commemorate St. Laurentius Church, which stood nearby until 2022, when it was demolished to abate an unsafe condition. On 9 May 2025, the Historical Commission approved an application to construct eight three-story townhouses at the vacant church site, provided a public display commemorating the St. Laurentius church building is installed as part of the project. This application proposes that commemorative display, a marker and plaque. The marker would consist of a bronze cast of the front section of St. Laurentius church building set on a masonry base. The cast would be fabricated with the scan taken of the front façade of the church before demolition. A plaque and cornerstone salvaged from the church would be incorporated into the masonry base. The marker would be located in front of the St.
church building set on a masonry base. The cast would be fabricated with the scan taken of the front façade of the church before demolition. A plaque and cornerstone salvaged from the church would be incorporated into the masonry base. The marker would be located in front of the St. Laurentius Catholic School at 1608 E. Berks Street, adjacent to the site where the church building stood at 1600-06 E. Berks Street. The plaque would resemble the blue metal plaques on posts installed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. It would be located at the northwest corner of the school lot at 1608 E. Berks Street. The text on the plaque, which is not yet written, would be developed with stakeholders. SCOPE OF WORK: • Install marker and plaque. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW: The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Guidelines are not applicable because no historic resources survive at the site, and the surrounding neighborhood is not designated as historic. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The staff recommends approval of the application. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Architectural Committee voted to recommend denial. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:04:09 PRESENTERS: • Mr. Farnham presented the application to the Historical Commission. • Architect Carey Jackson Yonce represented the application. PUBLIC COMMENT: PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 5 • Allison Weiss of So/Lo Germantown Civic Association asked who would be responsible for the care of the monument if the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sold the St. Laurentius School property. o Mr. Yonce stated that the Archdiocese has no intention of closing the school or selling the property. HISTORICAL COMMISSION FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Historical Commission found that: • The monument should be designed such that it does not pose a safety hazard and cannot be stolen or vandalized. • The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Preservation Alliance, and community members are working on the text for the plaque. • The location for the plaque has not been finalized, but it should be located at or near the former church site. The Historical Commission concluded that: • The application proposes a marker and plaque that will successfully commemorate the former St. Laurentius church building, which was demolished because it posed a public safety hazard. ACTION: Ms. Carney moved to approve the application, with the staff to review details. Ms. Washington seconded the motion,
Commission concluded that: • The application proposes a marker and plaque that will successfully commemorate the former St. Laurentius church building, which was demolished because it posed a public safety hazard. ACTION: Ms. Carney moved to approve the application, with the staff to review details. Ms. Washington seconded the motion, which was adopted by unanimous consent. ITEM: 1600-06 E Berks St MOTION: Approval MOVED BY: Carney SECONDED BY: Washington VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney (PCPC) X Cooperman X Holloman (City Council) X O’Connor (DPP) X Lech (L&I) X McCoubrey X Michel X Rabauer X Thomas X Treat (DPD) X Total 10 3 PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 6 ADDRESS: 108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 125, AND 127 N MOLE ST Proposal: Construct rear additions; restore front facades Review Requested: Final Review Owner: Hassan Edge Jr., WJH Construction Applicant: Carey Jackson Yonce, CANNO design History: 108: 1840, expanded into alley, new windows 1998. 109: 1835, new windows and doors 1972, rear one-story addition removed 1972. 110: 1840, historic door removed without permits 2019. 112: 1840. 114: 1840, door and frame replaced without permits 2018; 115: 1835, third story added by 1916. 125: 1850, rear frame addition replaced with brick addition 1938. 127: 1850, rear alterations 1960. Individual Designation: 9/26/1967 District Designation: None Staff Contact: Kim Chantry, kim.chantry@phila.gov OVERVIEW: This application for final review proposes to construct rear additions and restore the front facades of eight rowhouses on the 100 block of N. Mole Street, a block of brick rowhouses constructed between 1835 and 1850. The Historical Commission approved the proposed scope in concept in July 2025, provided the rear additions respond to the character of each building and do not extend above the parapet lines, the windows in the additions respond to the scales of the respective buildings, any rear roof decks do not extend above existing parapets, and any front facade elements proposed for replacement are called out as such in application materials submitted for final approval, pursuant to Standards 6 and 9. Front façade restoration work includes window, door, shutter, and stoop restoration or replacement and brick repointing. The Historical Commission’s staff met on site with the applicants after the in-concept approval and developed a recommended repair and replacement list for each façade, which has been
pursuant to Standards 6 and 9. Front façade restoration work includes window, door, shutter, and stoop restoration or replacement and brick repointing. The Historical Commission’s staff met on site with the applicants after the in-concept approval and developed a recommended repair and replacement list for each façade, which has been included with this application for final review. Replacement is called out where no original or historic feature remains. The Historical Commission’s staff can typically review and approve this type of work administratively. Public visibility of the rears of the even-number addresses is across a parking lot from N. 16th Street. There may be an oblique view of the rear of 109 N. Mole Street where a driveway cuts through from Cherry Street. There is no public visibility of the rears of the properties at 115, 125 and 127 N. Mole Street. At its August 2025 meeting, the Architectural Committee voted to recommend denial, despite its earlier recommendation of approval in-concept, primarily because of roof drainage concerns. The applicant has supplemented the application for Historical Commission review, to show his preferred rear addition design, which includes a notch at the rear cornice so as to leave it exposed, and a rear addition design as now suggested by the Architectural Committee which overbuilds onto the historic rear roof, removing the rear cornice. SCOPE OF WORK: • Construct rear additions • Restore front facades STANDARDS FOR REVIEW: The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Guidelines include: • Standard 6: Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 7 and physical evidence. o The proposed front façade work will result in restoration or replacement with historically accurate windows, doors, shutters, stoops, and window sills. • Standard 9: New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. o The construction of the proposed rear
materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. o The construction of the proposed rear additions will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property, and the additions will be compatible with the historic materials and features. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval, with the staff to review details, pursuant to Standards 6 and 9 and the July 2025 in-concept approval. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Architectural Committee voted to recommend denial, pursuant to Standards 6 and 9. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:18:45 PRESENTERS: • Ms. Chantry presented the application to the Historical Commission. • Architect Carey Jackson Yonce represented the application. PUBLIC COMMENT: • David Traub of Save Our Sites commented in support of the restoration of the front facades. HISTORICAL COMMISSION FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Historical Commission found that: • The applicant supplemented the application prior to the Historical Commission’s review to show his preferred rear addition design, which includes a notch at the rear cornice so as to leave it exposed, and a rear addition design as now suggested by the Architectural Committee, which overbuilds onto the historic rear roof, removing the rear cornice. The overbuild design appears to be a better option in terms of drainage concerns. The Historical Commission concluded that: • The proposed front façade work will result in restoration or replacement with historically accurate windows, doors, shutters, stoops, and windowsills, satisfying Standard 6. • The construction of the proposed rear additions with overbuilds onto roofs will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property, and the additions will be compatible with the historic materials and features, satisfying Standard 9. ACTION: Mr. Thomas moved to approve the application with the overbuild design, with the staff to review details, pursuant to Standards 6 and 9. Ms. Cooperman seconded the motion, which was adopted by unanimous consent. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 8 ITEM: 108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 125, and 127 N Mole St MOTION: Approval of overbuild design MOVED BY: Thomas SECONDED BY: Cooperman VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 8 ITEM: 108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 125, and 127 N Mole St MOTION: Approval of overbuild design MOVED BY: Thomas SECONDED BY: Cooperman VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney (PCPC) X Cooperman X Holloman (City Council) X O’Connor (DPP) X Lech (L&I) X McCoubrey X Michel X Rabauer X Thomas X Treat (DPD) X Total 10 3 ADDRESS: 602 S FRONT ST Proposal: Construct shed dormer and replace front windows Review Requested: Final Review Owner: Claudia and Eric Martin Applicant: Armagh Carpentry, LLC History: ca. 1795; James Henderson House Individual Designation: 6/28/1958 District Designation: None Staff Contact: Dan Shachar-Krasnoff, daniel.shachar-krasnoff@phila.gov OVERVIEW: This application proposes constructing a shed dormer on the front gable roof and replacing existing front windows at 602 S. Front Street. The current roof is a standing seam roof with 19 skylights and a glass clad dormer. The skylight and dormer alterations were completed in 1988 when the Department of Licenses and Inspections approved a building permit without the Historical Commission’s review. Court proceedings resulted in a consent decree whereby the Historical Commission approved the skylights. Despite these past alterations, the front roof and dormer maintain their historic eighteenth-century slope and form. The full proposal for the front roof includes removal of existing skylights and dormer and construction of a wide shed dormer with Andersen Fibrex casement windows. The standing seam metal roof would be maintained. The application also proposes removing the existing double-hung, wood windows and installing Andersen Fibrex casement windows in the existing openings. SCOPE OF WORK: • Remove 19 skylights and dormer. • Construct shed dormer with casement windows. • Replace four front facade windows. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW: PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 9 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Guidelines include: • Standard 2: The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. o Removal of the skylights is appropriate and meets Standard 2. o Maintaining the existing standing seam roof or installing a new standing seam roof meets Standard 2. o Although the existing front dormer is clad in glass, it maintains its historic form and proportions.
a property shall be avoided. o Removal of the skylights is appropriate and meets Standard 2. o Maintaining the existing standing seam roof or installing a new standing seam roof meets Standard 2. o Although the existing front dormer is clad in glass, it maintains its historic form and proportions. Removal of the front dormer does not meet Standard 2. o Removal of the double-hung windows from the front façade and replacing them with casement windows does not meet Standard 2. • Standard 9: New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. o The proposed shed dormer would be highly visible, and the proposed design and materials are incompatible with the late eighteenth-century house. Therefore, it does not meet Standard 9. o The four front windows on the second and third floor are not original and can be replaced in kind with new double-hung wood windows. An in-kind replacement would meet Standard 9. The current proposal to replace the historically accurate windows with casement windows does not meet Standard 9. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Denial, pursuant to Standards 2 and 9. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Architectural Committee voted to recommend denial, pursuant to Standards 2 and 9. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:33:11 RECUSAL: • Mr. Rabauer recused because his real estate firm represented the seller in the most recent sale of the property. PRESENTERS: • Mr. Shachar-Krasnoff presented the application to the Historical Commission. • Property owner Claudia Martin and contractors Lauren and Raymie Conlon represented the application. PUBLIC COMMENT: • None. HISTORICAL COMMISSION FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Historical Commission found that: • The Historical Commission approved the 19 skylights and glass dormer as part of a consent decree in 1988. • Despite the construction of the skylights, the front roof and glass dormer maintain their historic eighteenth-century slope and form. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 10 • The application proposes the removal of existing skylights and dormer, construction of a wide shed dormer, maintenance of the standing-seam metal roof, and installation of Andersen Fibrex casement windows for the proposed shed dormer and existing second and third-floor openings. The Historical
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 10 • The application proposes the removal of existing skylights and dormer, construction of a wide shed dormer, maintenance of the standing-seam metal roof, and installation of Andersen Fibrex casement windows for the proposed shed dormer and existing second and third-floor openings. The Historical Commission concluded that: • The removal of the skylights and maintenance of the standing-seam metal roof conform with Standard 2. • The removal of the double-hung windows from the front façade and replacement with casement windows does not meet Standards 2 and 9. • The proposed shed dormer would be highly conspicuous from the street, and the proposed design and materials are incompatible with the late eighteenth-century house. The application does not meet Standard 9. ACTION: Ms. Cooperman moved to deny the application, pursuant to Standards 2 and 9. Mr. Thomas seconded the motion, which was adopted by unanimous consent. ITEM: 602 S Front St MOTION: Denial MOVED BY: Cooperman SECONDED BY: Thomas VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney (PCPC) X Cooperman X Holloman (City Council) X O’Connor (DPP) X Lech (L&I) X McCoubrey X Michel X Rabauer X Thomas X Treat (DPD) X Total 9 1 3 PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 11 COMMENT ON NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS ADDRESS: 1101 CATHARINE ST Review Requested: National Register Comment Resource: Philadelphia Macaroni Company Factory Owner: 1101 Catharine LLC Nominator: Kevin McMahon, Powers & Company, Inc. OVERVIEW: The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has requested comments from the Philadelphia Historical Commission on the National Register nomination of 1101 Catharine Street located in the Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philadelphia and historically known as the Philadelphia Macaroni Company Building. PHMC is charged with implementing federal historic preservation regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including overseeing the National Register of Historic Places in the state. PHMC reviews all such nominations before forwarding them to the National Park Service for action. As part of the process, PHMC must solicit comments on every National Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal regulation, the local government not only must provide comments, but must also provide a forum for public comment
Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal regulation, the local government not only must provide comments, but must also provide a forum for public comment on nominations. Such a forum is provided during the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s meetings. The Philadelphia Macaroni Company Building is significant under Criterion A in the area of Industry as home to the largest and most important manufacturer of macaroni and pasta in Philadelphia for much of the twentieth century. Founded by Antonio Marano in 1914, the Philadelphia Macaroni Company helped to supply the city’s large Italian immigrant community with one of its staple food products after imports from Italy were cut off at the beginning of World War I. During the 1920s and later, Philadelphia Macaroni made a significant impact outside of this ethnic enclave as Americans of all backgrounds embraced pasta as a regular part of their diets. Through Philadelphia Macaroni’s partnerships with the Campbell Soup Company and Franco-American Foods, among other large manufacturers, the company played a major role in the development of several iconic American food brands. The macaroni made in the company’s Philadelphia plant became an essential component in products like Campbell’s numerous canned soup varieties and Franco-American’s canned spaghetti dinners. Both products, which were sold in all 50 states, were affordable, shelf stable, and easy to prepare dining options, making them popular during the Great Depression and as people increasingly looked for labor- saving ways to feed their families. Later, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, Philadelphia Macaroni built on its success with Campbell and Franco-American by attracting other major industrial customers. In this period, the company began to produce the pasta and noodles found in grocery store staples like Spaghettios and Cup-A-Soup, among other popular brands. By the 1970s, Philadelphia Macaroni built its first satellite plant, and in the 1990s embarked on a major expansion that resulted in the acquisition or construction of several additional manufacturing sites. Today, the Philadelphia Macaroni Company is the largest privately-owned manufacturer of pasta in the United States and continues to be a major supplier to Campbell Soup and other food conglomerates. The period of significance of the Philadelphia Macaroni Company Factory begins in 1933 when the present building was completed (the original one was destroyed by fire in
largest privately-owned manufacturer of pasta in the United States and continues to be a major supplier to Campbell Soup and other food conglomerates. The period of significance of the Philadelphia Macaroni Company Factory begins in 1933 when the present building was completed (the original one was destroyed by fire in 1932) and ends in 1973, when the company began to relocate its manufacturing operations to other plants in the region and across the country. Although Philadelphia Macaroni still owns its original home and even continues to occupy the first floor as its corporate headquarters, the building has not been used for manufacturing since the early 1980s. This property is not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 12 START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 00:59:48 PRESENTERS: • Mr. Till presented the National Register nomination to the Historical Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT: • Matt Connor, a nearby resident, commented in opposition to the National Register designation. He stated that developer, who is seeking the listing on the National Register of Historic Places, does not care about the historic nature of the building and is merely looking for a “tax handout.” DISCUSSION: • Mr. Thomas commented that he is familiar with the property and described it as an important industrial building that also has social history connected to it. • Mr. Frankel commented in support of the nomination. MORSE ELEVATOR WORKS HISTORIC DISTRICT Review Requested: National Register Comment Owner: Various Nominator: Kevin McMahon, Powers & Company, Inc. OVERVIEW: The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has requested comments from the Philadelphia Historical Commission on the National Register nomination of 1101-03, 1105-09, 1111-13, and 1115-27 Frankford Ave; 121-31 E Wildey St; 1100-06 and 1108-10 Shackamaxon St; and 1045-49 Sarah St, located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia and historically known as the Morse Elevator Works. PHMC is charged with implementing federal historic preservation regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including overseeing the National Register of Historic Places in the state. PHMC reviews all such nominations before forwarding them to the National Park Service for action. As part of the process, PHMC must solicit comments on every National Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal
the National Park Service for action. As part of the process, PHMC must solicit comments on every National Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal regulation, the local government not only must provide comments, but must also provide a forum for public comment on nominations. Such a forum is provided during the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s meetings. The Morse Elevator Works Historic District is significant, at the local level, under Criterion A in the area of Industry as home of one of the largest and most important elevator manufacturers in the United States during the late nineteenth century. Founded as Clem & Morse around 1877, this company, which later became Morse, Williams & Company, played a major role in the development of early elevator technology. Focusing on innovation, Morse devised and patented critical safety devices, new types of gearing, and hydraulic and electric power sources that made the modern elevator and, by extension, the modern American city, possible. Much of this work took place at the company’s Frankford Avenue plant, where it moved in 1885. Although Morse, Williams & Company became part of the Otis Elevator Company in 1898, it continued to manufacture elevators of its own design until Otis ended elevator production at the plant in 1910. That year, the Morse complex became known as the Hindley Gear Department of the Otis Elevator Company. This department, which became its own Otis-controlled corporation, the PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 13 Hindley Gear Company, in 1913, continued to produce Hindley worm gears, which had been a defining aspect of Morse elevators since the 1880s. Morse controlled the patents on this innovative type of gearing, which was found to be advantageous in a wide range of non-elevator uses. Because of its exceptional strength, durability, and efficiency relative to other types of gearing, the Hindley worm gear became a critical component in large naval vessels, including most of the U.S. Navy’s early battleships, cruisers, submarines, and airplanes, not to mention commercial trucks and other large vehicles. The Hindley Gear Company remained in the former Morse Elevator Works complex until 1927, when it moved into the Otis Elevator Company’s new Philadelphia branch office at 19th and Buttonwood Streets. The period of significance
early battleships, cruisers, submarines, and airplanes, not to mention commercial trucks and other large vehicles. The Hindley Gear Company remained in the former Morse Elevator Works complex until 1927, when it moved into the Otis Elevator Company’s new Philadelphia branch office at 19th and Buttonwood Streets. The period of significance of the Morse Elevator Works begins in 1885, when the company relocated to the Frankford Avenue plant, and ends in 1927, when its successor, the Hindley Gear Company, departed. Some of the buildings in the proposed district are listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places: 1101- 03, 1105-09, and 1111-13 Frankford Ave, and 1045-40 Sarah St. The 100 block of E Wildey St is also designated for its historic paving. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 01:05:34 PRESENTERS: • Mr. Till presented the nomination to the Historical Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT: • None. DISCUSSION: • Mr. Frankel commented in support of the nomination. ADDRESS: 2100 ARCH ST Review Requested: National Register Comment Resource: The BIOSIS Headquarters Building Owner: DAJ 2100 Arch LLC Nominator: Nika Faulkner and Charlotte Adams, Heritage Consulting Group OVERVIEW: The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has requested comments from the Philadelphia Historical Commission on the National Register nomination of 2100 Arch Street located in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia and historically known as the BIOSIS Headquarters Building. PHMC is charged with implementing federal historic preservation regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including overseeing the National Register of Historic Places in the state. PHMC reviews all such nominations before forwarding them to the National Park Service for action. As part of the process, PHMC must solicit comments on every National Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal regulation, the local government not only must provide comments, but must also provide a forum for public comment on nominations. Such a forum is provided during the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s meetings. The BIOSIS Headquarters Building is nationally significant under Criterion A in the area of Communications for its association with BIOSIS, the largest database publisher for the life sciences. The non-profit organization, also known as Biological Abstracts, founded in 1926, spearheaded the abstracting and indexing of millions of scholarly articles focused on life PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD
area of Communications for its association with BIOSIS, the largest database publisher for the life sciences. The non-profit organization, also known as Biological Abstracts, founded in 1926, spearheaded the abstracting and indexing of millions of scholarly articles focused on life PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 14 sciences and biology in the United States following World War I when German databases, which researchers and scientists had historically relied on, became inaccessible. While seemingly benign, the process of abstracting and providing indexed abstracts was critical to the scientific community, as it enabled a free flow of information amongst institutions and researchers. The non-profit initially operated out of the University of Pennsylvania Zoology Department Building from 1926 to 1946 and later out of converted row houses in West Philadelphia from 1946 to 1966. The building at 2100 Arch Street was the first purpose-built location for the company, and it represents the physical manifestation of the success and importance of BIOSIS to the study and advancement of the life sciences in the mid twentieth century. The building is exceptionally significant as the location of BIOSIS’s most important period of advancement into the digital age (from 1966 to 1999). During the period of significance, BIOSIS was “the world’s largest life science abstracting, indexing, and access service,” meeting Criterion Consideration G. During the company’s time at 2100 Arch Street, it developed new products that advanced the dissemination of scientific information. This property is not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 01:08:23 PRESENTERS: • Mr. Maust presented the nomination to the Historical Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT: • None. DISCUSSION: • Mr. Frankel thanked the nominator for a well-prepared nomination. ADDRESS: 1900 W YORK ST Review Requested: National Register Comment Resource: Bethel Presbyterian Church Owner: Trustees of the Bethel Presbyterian Church Nominator: Brian E. Reiff, Doylestown Presbyterian Church OVERVIEW: The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has requested comments from the Philadelphia Historical Commission on the National Register nomination of 1900 West York Street located in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of North Philadelphia and historically known as the Bethel Presbyterian Church. PHMC is charged with implementing federal historic preservation regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including overseeing the National Register of Historic Places in the state. PHMC reviews all such nominations before forwarding them to the National Park Service for action. As
Philadelphia and historically known as the Bethel Presbyterian Church. PHMC is charged with implementing federal historic preservation regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including overseeing the National Register of Historic Places in the state. PHMC reviews all such nominations before forwarding them to the National Park Service for action. As part of the process, PHMC must solicit comments on every National Register nomination from the appropriate local government. The Philadelphia Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Under federal regulation, the local government not only must provide comments, but must also provide a forum for public comment on nominations. Such a forum is provided during the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s meetings. Bethel Presbyterian Church of North Philadelphia is locally significant under Criterion A in the area of Social History and Ethnic Heritage – Black. While the building was built and occupied by a white congregation for 43 years, as Philadelphia’s demographics changed, so did the PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 15 congregation. This transition from a white congregation to a Black congregation occurred under the leadership of the Reverend Robert Lee Maffett, a strong advocate of civil rights. The Rev. Maffett helped to create the North Philadelphia District Council, acted as Chaplain for the Philadelphia General Hospital, and worked to help poorer members of the community find housing and employment within the community. The Rev. Maffett expected this level of activism from the congregation and used his pulpit to organize for local civil rights causes. The church became an important community center, offering youth services, sports leagues, and more. The Bethel Presbyterian Church’s congregation was made up of working-class African Americans and become a cornerstone to a vibrant but challenged community, left behind by white flight. The period of significance for Criterion A is from 1947, when the church transitioned to a Black congregation, to 1968, when the first Black pastor, the Revered Robert Lee Maffett, left the congregation. Bethel Presbyterian Church is a Late Gothic-Revival building, designed by Pennsylvania architect Charles W. Bolton and built by Philadelphia builder Burd P. Evans, is additionally significant under Criterion C, Architecture. Charles Bolton was one of the leading ecclesiastic architects in Philadelphia during the early twentieth century, and the building is the only known church in the region designed by Bolton
Pennsylvania architect Charles W. Bolton and built by Philadelphia builder Burd P. Evans, is additionally significant under Criterion C, Architecture. Charles Bolton was one of the leading ecclesiastic architects in Philadelphia during the early twentieth century, and the building is the only known church in the region designed by Bolton and completed in the Gothic Revival style with an auditorium/Akron-plan. Bethel Presbyterian Church is a 120-year-old structure that is a well- preserved piece of architecture with few alterations made over those years. The period of significance for Criterion C extends from the church’s construction in 1904 to 1910 when the sabbath school was built. This property is not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Although it is a religious property, Bethel Presbyterian Church derives its significance from its associations with social trends in history and as an important example of the architectural work of Charle W. Bolton, not the history of religious practice at the location. START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 01:10:51 PRESENTERS: • Ms. Hendrickson presented the nomination to the Historical Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT: • None. DISCUSSION: • Mr. Frankel complimented the nomination. • Ms. Cooperman commented that she had never seen a National Register nomination with two separate periods of significance and described that aspect as a bit confusing. She additionally commented that architect Charles Bolton is an important figure in Presbyterian church design and that point could have been explained a bit more thoroughly in the nomination. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES 16 ADJOURNMENT START TIME OF DISCUSSION IN ZOOM RECORDING: 01:15:44 ACTION: At 10:30 a.m., Mr. Frankel moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation matters. Ms. Washington seconded the motion, which was adopted by unanimous consent. ITEM: Adjournment MOTION: Adjourn MOVED BY: Frankel SECONDED BY: Washington VOTE Commissioner Yes No Abstain Recuse Absent Frankel, Chair X Washington, Vice Chair X Abu Saab (Commerce) X Carney (PCPC) X Cooperman X Holloman (City Council) X O’Connor (DPP) X Lech (L&I) X McCoubrey X Michel X Rabauer X Thomas X Treat (DPD) X Total 10 3 PLEASE NOTE: • Minutes of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and its advisory committees are presented in action format. Additional information is available in the video recording for this meeting. The start time for each agenda item in the recording is noted. • Application materials and staff overviews are available
3 PLEASE NOTE: • Minutes of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and its advisory committees are presented in action format. Additional information is available in the video recording for this meeting. The start time for each agenda item in the recording is noted. • Application materials and staff overviews are available on the Historical Commission’s website, www.phila.gov/historical.